Sensemaker

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One story every day to make sense of the world

Tortoise Media


    • May 21, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 7m AVG DURATION
    • 1,369 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Sensemaker

    How serious is the new Ebola outbreak?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2026 8:37


    A deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring country Uganda has been declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organisation. How concerned should we be? Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper CorbettClip credit: WHO, Associated Press, TeleSUR Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Smart glasses: the new era of covert recordings

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2026 6:07


    Meta sold seven million smart glasses in 2025, triple that of the previous two years combined. As smart glasses become cheaper and more widespread, do they present a threat to our privacy?Writer: Jonathan Lewis and April McLennanProducer: Madeleine ParrHost: Jonathan LewisEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper CorbettClips: Project TV, Mint Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why is the Strait of Hormuz still closed?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2026 8:58


    While the US and Iran maintained the fragile ceasefire over the weekend, the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping lanes, remains effectively closed.Host: Madeleine ParrWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why are elite athletes doping for the Enhanced Games?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2026 6:17


    The Enhanced Games kicks off on the 24th May, where competitors will be allowed to use performance enhancing drugs. But what is motivating elite athletes to take part? Writer and producer: Ada BaruméClips: Enhanced Games Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Will jet fuel prices ruin your holiday?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 7:58


    The war in Iran, and its aftermath, threatens to cause widespread disruption to airlines while jet fuel prices could make summer holidays more expensive. What could it mean for summer holidays? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How worried should we be about hantavirus?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2026 6:15


    After an outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship led to the deaths of three people, health ministers are working to contain the virus. But how concerned should we be about the global health risk?Producer: Madeleine Parr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How are the police using AI?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2026 8:34


    Police forces across the UK are rapidly expanding their use of AI. How might AI improve policing? Host: Madeleine ParrWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How much trouble is Keir Starmer in?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2026 6:43


    After disastrous election results, the Prime Minister is fighting to save his political career.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How could the government tackle antisemitism?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 8:10


    Just under a fortnight ago, two Jewish men were stabbed on the street in Golders Green in North London, the latest in a string of attacks against Jewish people.Writer: Madeleine ParrProducer: Amalie Sortland Host: Madeleine ParrClip Credit: BBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why does South Africa have a xenophobia problem?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2026 7:42


    Videos of mobs of people attacking immigrants in South Africa have gone viral over the past few months. Where is all of this anger coming from?Writer: Seun MatilukoHost: Jonathan LewisProducer: Matt RussellClip credits: AfricaWebTV, Reality Street Talk, Sky News, News Central and Newzroom Afrika Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How could thousands of miscarriages be prevented?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2026 6:51


    A long-standing policy in the UK means many women must have three miscarriages before investigations begin. But that's now set to change.Writer: Seun MatilukoProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Madeleine ParrClip Credit: LBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why is Elon Musk suing OpenAI?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2026 8:50


    Tech giant Elon Musk is suing the company he cofounded, OpenAI, as well as his co founders. The dispute hinges on the company's not for profit status, but what will it mean for the future of AI?Writer: Madeleine ParrProducer: Amalie Sortland Host: Madeleine ParrClip Credit: CNBC Television, MIT AeroAstro Centennial Symposium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Are stalking cases soaring in Britain?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2026 8:09


    New data suggests that stalking offences have increased fiftyfold in England and Wales in the last decade. What explains the rise?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Jonathan LewisEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Poppy Bullard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Will the government's plan to stop young people smoking work?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2026 6:14


    A law will make it illegal for people born after 2008 from buying tobacco in the UKWriter: Poppy BullardProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why is the Michael Jackson biopic such a hit?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2026 8:03


    In cinemas around the world crowds are gathering to sing, and even dance along to the new Micheal Jackson biopic. Does that mean the controversial ‘King of Pop' is uncancellable?Writer: Ada Barumé and Casey MagloireProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Ada BaruméClip from Lionsgate trailer of ‘Micheal' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How a sub-2 hour marathon finally happened

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2026 8:22


    Until Sunday, no one in history had run a sub-2 hour marathon. So how did Sabastian Sawe do it?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Casey Magloire Host: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Executive Producer: Katie Gunning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why your hayfever is getting worse

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2026 5:30


    Climate change and pollutants are making your allergies worse. But could the health consequences of warming weather be even more serious in the future?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Jonathan LewisEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Katie Gunning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is Ticketmaster ripping off fans?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2026 9:41


    A jury in the US has won a case against Ticketmaster, claiming that they have monopolised the ticketing industry. What does this mean for concert goers? Writer, producer and Host: Casey Magloire Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Clip credit: NBC News, BBC News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What does Apple's new CEO tell us about its future?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 7:15


    Apple CEO, Tim Cook, has announced that his successor will be the company's current head of hardware, John Ternus. But what does his appointment tell us about Apple's strategy for the future in an industry increasingly invested in AI?Writer: Madeleine ParrProducer: Madeleine ParrHost: Jonathan LewisClip Credit: CBS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why is Keir Starmer on the ropes?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2026 8:22


    Keir Starmer finds himself in hot water once again over the appointment of Peter Mandelson. How much danger is he in? Reporter: Cat NeilanWriter: Poppy BullardProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper CorbettClip credit: BBC News, Sky News, Times Radio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why is the UK paying to switch off wind energy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2026 5:22


    Wind, solar and nuclear now generate the majority of the UK's energy, but in a bid to promote renewables the government has ended up paying some wind farms to stop generating power, why?Writer: Matt RussellProducer: Ada BaruméClips: Md Blackboi Global Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump vs the Pope. What does it mean?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2026 9:50


    A public clash between Donald Trump and the Pope has exposed tensions inside America's Christian right. Why does this matter? Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Michael Whitaker Executive Producer: Jasper CorbettClips: BBC, 9 New Australia, CNN Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why do Reform councillors keep quitting the party?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 9:23


    Reform councillors are quitting more than any other party. What is behind the trend and how will it impact the local elections?Writer: Madeleine ParrProducer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire Clip Credit: BBC Politics Midlands Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Who really revealed Banksy's identity?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 7:29


    For years, many people have claimed to know the identity of Banksy, the anonymous British street artist. Now a recent report claims to have finally unmasked him. Could this cause his work to lose some of its value? Writer: Seun MatilukoProducer: Seun MatilukoHost: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why are beta blockers so popular?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2026 7:24


    Data reveals that young women in the UK are increasingly being prescribed beta blockers. What is behind the trend?Read more here - ‘Magic pill' beta blocker prescriptions for teenage girls rise 90% in a decadeWriter: Casey Magloire Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why is Israel continuing to attack Lebanon?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2026 7:36


    As talks between Israel and Lebanon get underway in Washington, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli troops in southern Lebanon to say that the fighting will continue.Host: Ada BaruméWriter & producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The downfall of Europe's great populist

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2026 10:10


    Viktor Orbán built one of Europe's most entrenched political systems and still lost. What does Hungary's election result tell us about how populists can be beaten?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Madeleine Parr Host: Casey Magloire Clip Credit: Sky News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    We're losing the race to save the emperor penguin

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2026 6:47


    The International Union for Conservation of Nature has placed emperor penguins in the endangered species list with some predicting they could be extinct by the end of the century. Can anything be done to halt their decline?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Jonathan LewisEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt RussellClips: CBS News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    US vs. China: the new space race

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2026 7:13


    Tomorrow morning Artemis II will splash down off the coast of San Diego. What's next for the $90 billion space programme's plan to put a human back on the moon?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Madeleine Parr Host: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt RussellClips: CNN Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Will the US-Iran ceasefire hold?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2026 8:53


    Barely an hour before President Donald Trump's Tuesday deadline to obliterate Iran and its infrastructure, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.Host: Jonathan LewisWriter: Amalie SortlandProducer: Jonathan LewisEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper CorbettThis episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why are art heists on the rise?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 5:55


    Over the past two years, there have been major thefts from galleries and museums in the Netherlands, France and Italy. So what's happening?This episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is shared ownership housing really an affordable option?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2026 7:28


    Why some people in shared home ownership schemes don't feel they're as affordable as they seem.Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Matt RussellHost: Ada BaruméThis episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is the Iran War dividing MAGA?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2026 9:04


    Is the war in Iran impacting MAGA support for Donald Trump, if so, why? Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey Magloire Host: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Clip credit: The Economist, NBC news, Forbes Breaking News, CNN and MS NowThis episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How is the Iran war affecting our cost of living?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2026 6:51


    The impact of the war in Iran is being felt around the world. But how is it affecting the UK? Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Jasper CorbettClip from NBC News.This episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The economics of K-pop and BTS

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2026 9:27


    The world's biggest boyband are back from their hiatus and set to go on a 82-date tour, but what impact will their return to the spotlight have on the Korean economy? Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper CorbettClips from 9 News Australia, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, NBC News, Asia One News, Channel News Asia, 7NEWS Australia, Bloomberg News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Are war crimes happening in the Iran war?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2026 9:00


    Several leading figures have come out and warned both sides in the Iran war could be at risk of committing war crimes. But what does this mean?Host: Casey MagloireWriter: Matt RussellProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why are Meta and Google liable for social media addiction?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2026 8:37


    Social media companies have largely avoided responsibility for the impact their products have on people's lives. But a new court ruling may change that.Host: Andrew ButlerWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper CorbettClips used in the episode were from The New York Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What's behind changes to the abortion law in England and Wales?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2026 8:27


    The House of Lords has voted to stop criminalising women for late term abortions. What will this mean for women in England and Wales? Host: Casey MagloireWriter: Ada BaruméProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is Cuba Donald Trump's next target?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2026 8:19


    As Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, the island is facing fuel shortages, economic collapse and mass emigration. Will this mean regime change in the communist country? Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Credits: The New York Times, The New Yorker and WNYC Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Are AI chatbots encouraging violence?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2026 7:47


    Two lawsuits allege that artificial intelligence chatbots, like ChatGPT, have encouraged people to commit harm not just to themselves, but to others. Reporter: Patricia ClarkeWriter: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why did Scotland reject assisted dying?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2026 9:31


    Plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotland have been narrowly rejected, just as similar efforts across the UK begin to stall.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt RussellSome clips used in the episode were from the BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why has the Middle East conflict spread to Lebanon?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2026 7:53


    After the killing of the Iranian supreme leader, Lebanon's Hezbollah launched strikes on Israel. As the conflict intensifies, what is life like for civilians on the ground? Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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